Many wise brides are planning a winter wedding this year here in the “Wedding Capital of The South" and with good reason.

“We are astounded at the creativity of today’s brides,” said Jodie English, past chairperson of the Bridal Committee of the Greater Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce. “They are coming up with ideas that make their wedding an event that will be talked about for generations to come."

English noted that brides are choosing the winter months to give themselves a better selection of dates; prices that are lower than in the spring, summer or fall; and a time when family and friends want to treat their “cabin fever” with a little traveling. And what is a better sojourn than a trip to the wedding of a friend or loved one? It becomes a gift from the bride to the invited guests.

“With the essentials like event room rental and sleeping rooms for family and friends costing less, it gives the bride additional discretionary funds to ‘spice up’ her event,” said English.

For example, she said they have one bride who is planning a winter themed wedding with:

  • Colors: Winter white and evergreen green
  • Flowers: White roses and sprigs of pine and spruce
  • Attendents: They will be in winter white, saving the pure white for the bride
  • Decor: An electronic “fireplace” will be the focal point of the ceremony and the reception
  • Food: The food at the reception will be typical, hearty, winter fare with the tables being decorated with sprigs of evergreen and snowmen
  • Favors: One cherubic figurine for each guest to take home as a memento of the event.

“In addition to the wedding photos themselves being taken in front of the faux fireplace, guests will be encouraged to have their image captured in front of this same backdrop; an image that could be used by that couple for their next batch of Christmas cards," English said.

She went on to say that one other key consideration for a winter wedding is that many of wedding couple’s friends and family members may not have been able to get together during the holidays, so this way that reunion can still take place.

English was also quick to point out that there are many winter wedding days pre-jonquils but that brides still need to give wedding and reception venues as much lead time as possible, even if it is a tropical-themed event, like on bride-to-be who is looking to bring the Caribbean for her wedding.

"Her entire wedding will be in a recreated beach motif in one of Eureka Springs’ reception venues [and] her guests will be encouraged to wear beach resort attire," English said. "Top that off with Reggae music, lots of fruity cocktails complete with umbrellas, and so on."

For more information and Eureka Springs' winter wedding discounts and upgrades, check out eurekaspringsweddings.travel.